Work site.

Hailey cutting the wood.

Wood glue to help hold the base together.

Gluing the base.

Catapult after construction.

Sup. We just swaggin'.

Trial 1.

Hey ya'll.

List of Meetings:

Thursday, May 9: Lizzie and Hailey met to plan and draw diagrams of the catapult and also made a list of materials. 

Saturday, May 11: Went to Lowe's and got materials, constructed base, and side support.

Sunday, May 12: Constructed arms of catapult, added weight, and made sling. Did trials 1,2, and 3.

Saturday May 18: Spray painted and did final touches. 

Trial 1

After trial one, we realized that the rubber band was too stretchy to be used as the trigger because it would get stuck on the nail. We had to redesign the trigger mechanism and use a piece of rope instead.

Trial 2

After trial two we realized once again the trigger mechanism was not working how we expected. The rope was not sliding off of the nail when we pulled it, so we changed it to a new design with a series of pins.

Trial 3

Trial three worked successfully (:

FINAL LAUNCH

Physics: 

When you increase the weight attached to the arm, it has a direct variation with the force and distance because if you increase the amount of weight then the distance will also increase. When the sling goes out and is whipped around, the balloon is kept in with centripetal force. The bigger the arch when the arm swings, the more force will be transferred into the balloon. There is potential energy in the weight which is changed into kinetic energy when the trigger mechanism is released, powered exclusively by gravity. The sling on the other end works as a secondary fulcrum to add more energy. The balloon goes through the air in parabolic motion and makes an arc because of how it is released and gravity pulls it down. 

Us with the final catapult. 

How sweet.

Croissant. Oui Oui.